Tom Mandel Islet Transplant Program
Over 150,000 Australians have Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Despite the introduction of long acting insulin therapy and insulin pumps some patients continue to have unstable diabetes with multiple and potentially life-threatening hypoglycaemic episodes. The Tom Mandel Islet Transplant Program was established at St Vincent’s Hospital and is part of a National Consortium to evaluate the benefits of clinical islet transplantation for these patients. Since 2008, five patients have been transplanted with islets; two patients no longer require insulin injections and all have improved glycaemic control. For more information about this transplant program, please contact the Program’s Clinical Trial Coordinator (Kathy Howe) on 03 9288 3678 or go to http://itp.jdrf.org.au/.